IN THIS ISSUE: Feb. 22, 2008
Issue #8-2008
Page 4: Nominate an Outstanding Leader for the 2008 California Civic Leadership Institute
Page 5: Save the Date: League Events Scheduled for NLC 2008 Congressional City Conference, March 10-12
Local Government Officials Receive Training on New Flood Laws
Page 6: Governor Announces Funding for Affordable Housing Projects
Sustainable Cities Feature: Rohnert Park’s Recycled City Hall
Page 7: Call for Entries: Helen Putnam Awards Celebrate Excellence in City Government
Page 8: Coastal Cities Issues Group Begins 2008 Work
Nominations Due for the 2008 Personnel and Employee Relations Department Professional Excellence Awards
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
GOVERNOR SIGNS MID-YEAR BUDGET PACKAGE
Grim Outlook for FY 2008-09
On Saturday, Feb. 16, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a six bill budget package designed to
trim expenses in the state’s current fiscal year (FY 2007-08). The package contains a variety of
program cuts, payment deferrals and other mechanisms designed to address cash flow issues in
the current fiscal year, and some budget savings in FY 2008-09. For more, see Page 2.
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LAO RELEASES ALTERNATIVE STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL
The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) on Wednesday, Feb. 20 released its annual "Analysis of
the Budget Bill." This analysis includes an alternative to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s FY
2008-09 proposed budget. The LAO proposal contains a variety of significant spending
reductions and some revenue enhancement proposals involving the elimination of various tax
breaks and exemptions. For more, see Page 2.
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HIGHWAY USER TAX ACCOUNT PAYMENT DELAY
“TO-DO” LIST AND OPTIONS FOR CITIES
Included in the mid-year budget cut package signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week,
is a five month deferral of Highway User Tax Account (HUTA) payments to cities and counties.
ABX3 7 is the bill containing the statutory language that reflects the payment delay between April
and August 2008, amounting to approximately $500 million. HUTA funds are scheduled to be
repaid in bulk to local governments in September 2008. For more, see Page 3.
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‘Budget Bills Signed’ Continued from Page 1…
The Governor declared a fiscal emergency in January, triggering provisions under Proposition 58
(2004) that required the Legislature to send him legislation addressing the fiscal crisis within 45
days. Had the Legislature not acted last week, it would have had until Feb. 23 to meet the 45 day
deadline. The mid-year budget cut bills are part of the Third Extraordinary Session (X3).
The Governor signed the following mid-year budget bills:
• ABX3 3: This is the general budget reduction bill which shifts $30 million in state park
maintenance costs to bond funds, allocates $167.5 million in cuts to an assortment of
state programs, and redirects $409 million in Public Transportation Account (PTA) funds
from debt reduction payments to Home-to-School Transportation in response to a recent
court decision.
• ABX3 4: This bill makes a variety of fund shifts and cuts to educational programs totaling
$507 million in current-year savings.
• ABX3 5: This bill makes a variety of cuts to health programs including reducing Medi-Cal
provider reimbursement rates by 10 percent, effective July 1, 2008, to achieve $544
million in budget saving in FY 2008-09. Provider rate reductions for several children and
disabled programs will achieve an additional $14.2 million in savings. ABX3 5 also
delays payments to other providers assist state cash-flow problems and makes changes
to several other programs to achieve additional savings.
• ABX3 6: This bill delays the effective dates of cost of living (COLA) increase to several
social service programs, including California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
Program (Cal-Works), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blinded and
Disabled (SSP). In addition, this measure delays several payments to counties for the
months of July and August.
• ABX3 7: This bill defers payment of up to $500 million of the Highway User Tax Account
(HUTA) monies to cities and counties to assist state cash flow. For more information on
this legislation, please see “Highway User Tax Payment Delay.”
• ABX3 8: Achieves one-time savings of $75 million by eliminating the practice of paying
estimated mandate claims to local governments and schools and requiring payments to
be made in arrears based upon the actual amounts claimed. This means that local
mandate costs incurred in FY 2007-08, will be paid in FY 2009-10. ABX3 8 also delays a
general fund payment to retired teachers’ cost of living maintenance to achieve savings in
the current year, and delays the timetable for establishing specified judgeships.
FY 2008-09 Budget Prospects Looking Bleak
Despite the above cuts and payment deferrals, the news on the state budget is getting worse
instead of better. Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill announced on Wednesday, Feb. 20, that the
state budget deficit is actually closer to $16 billion, not the $14.5 billion the Governor projected in
January for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
For more on the LAO’s analysis please see “LAO Releases Alternative Budget Proposal.”
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‘LAO Proposal’ Continued from Page 1…
A full copy of the LAO proposal can be found online at www.lao.ca.gov.
A number of elements of the LAO proposal would directly impact cities. These include:
• Shifting all city Proposition 172 funding ($168 million) to new special county funds to
partially pay for a realignment of parole programs from the state to counties. 3
• Elimination of the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) program ($119 million).
• Elimination of Local Detention Facility Subventions ($35 million). Under current law, the
deletion of this funding would result in the return of county booking fees charged to cities
and others. However, the law limits those fees to 50 percent of actual administrative
costs, including applicable overhead costs.
• On the revenue side, the elimination of a number of sales tax exemptions would increase
local Bradley Burns and local transactions and use tax collections by about $30 million
and $20 million respectively.
• In agreement with the administration, LAO proposes to delay state mandate
reimbursement for another year such that actual reimbursements would be budgeted and
paid two fiscal years following the incurred expenses. This would effectively be a one-
time $75 million savings to the state. The impact to locals (including counties and
schools) is some delay in reimbursement and therefore interest costs.
• The LAO proposal includes no borrowing of property taxes or transportation sales taxes.
League staff will continue to study this proposal and other developments.
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‘HUTA’ Continued from Page 1…
Cities should have their fiscal officer or finance director read the bill to get a complete
understanding of the impacts the five month delay of HUTA payments may have on cities. The
bill can be found on the California State Assembly Web site at www.assembly.ca.gov. Click on
Legislation on the left side and search for ABX 3 7.
In brief, ABX3 7 does the following:
• It retains the HUTA revenues in that fund for the months of April, May, June, July and
August 2008 and repays them in full in September 2008.
• During the five month HUTA delay period, ABX3 7 allows cities to meet their cash
obligations with funds it has received from the Proposition 1B Local Street and Road
Program for the same purposes the gas taxes are currently used for under Article XIX of
the California Constitution.
o It should be noted that the current language in AB3X 7 specifies that the bond
funds can be used for "local street and road maintenance." However, it is the
intent of the Department of Finance that the funds can in fact be used for the
broader purposes outlined in Article XIX.
o If a city chooses to use Prop. 1B funds to supplement delayed gas tax payments,
the use of those funds is not required to be reflected as bond fund expenditures,
so long as the used bond funds are replaced upon repayment of the gas tax in
September 2008.
• Allows cities to accrue the gas tax revenues received in September 2008 as repayment
of the suspensions for April, May and June 2008 back to FY 2007-08.
The League encourages cites that have not yet applied for their share of the FY 2007-08
Prop. 1B funds, should do so immediately.
As noted above, these funds can be used as a temporary replacement of HUTA revenues. It is
imperative that cities apply for their Prop. 1B funds for a number of reasons.
• First, it is advantageous for cities to secure their funds in case they want to backfill the
gap left from the HUTA delay. 4
• Second, applying for Prop.1B funds demonstrates to the Legislature that there is a huge
need for transportation funding at the local level.
• Third, securing these funds will help the League advocate for future appropriations of the
remaining bond funds.
New Financing Program Available Based Upon Transportation Revenues
Cities also have new financing programs available to them to expedite local street and road
maintenance projects which involve advancing gas tax payments or Prop. 42 funds (the sales tax
on gasoline).
The programs allow cities to access bonds using an advance payment of the gasoline tax. Even
though cities and counties did not receive Prop. 42 funds for the last two fiscal years, beginning in
FY 2008-09, local governments will receive their portion of the sales tax revenues on gasoline for
local street and roads, estimated at approximately $300 million.
These revenues are now backed by Prop.1A (2006) constitutional protection. This new financing
program will permit cities to bond on these funding streams and accelerate the delivery and
completion of high priority local projects.
The February issue of Western City magazine includes an article by Terrence Murphy, program
manager, California Statewide Communities Development Authority, on these programs. The
article can be found on the Western City Web site at www.westerncity.com.
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Nominate an Outstanding Leader for the 2008 California Civic Leadership Institute
Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 29 for the League’s 2008 California Civic Leadership Institute
(CCLI). Now in its fourth year, CCLI is an educational program focused on key state level issues
for elected city officials who are interested in pursuing state office in the future.
Last year, 15 city officials participated in top-notch programs led by prominent leaders and
experts in public policy and politics in California. Because of the program’s impact, CCLI has
been expanded for 2008 to offer more sessions throughout the year, including sessions open to
CCLI alumni.
Program Details
Presented by the League Partners Program, CCLI exposes city officials to a variety of complex
statewide priorities including transportation, housing, impact of increasing energy demand on our
growing state, tribal issues and disaster preparedness. The program is designed to give local
leaders a broad, in-depth understanding of critical issues affecting the state, illuminate the
invaluable tools they will need to succeed if elected to the Legislature, and provide a forum where
lasting bonds can be created among California’s rising leaders.
Instead of just a standard classroom program, CCLI features informal roundtable discussions and
takes participants out in the field. The program includes a tour of Big Creek, Southern California
Edison’s hydro-electric facility, giving participants the opportunity to see first hand how electricity
is generated and moved throughout the state.
This year’s program is ideal for those already within leadership roles at the League, or for anyone
interested in becoming a statewide advocate of local government.
Nomination Process
Any mayor, council member or professional city staff may nominate a current elected city official
to participate in CCLI. Nominations may also come from any of the League’s constituency
groups, or from the League Partners Program.
5
Nominations must successfully convey the governance skills and accomplishments of the
nominee, and should highlight any and all contributions toward League goals and/or the League’s
mission of protecting local control. Nominees will be sent an application packet. Applicants will
be asked to compose an essay outlining their individual goals and interests in the program.
Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 29, by 5 p.m.
The nomination form can be found at www.cacities.org/leaguepartners. Submit entries to
Samantha Caygill by e-mail at scaygill@cacities.org or by fax at (916) 658-8240.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Save the Date: League Events Scheduled for NLC 2008 Congressional City
Conference, March 10-12
The League of California Cities is organizing a number of important events during the National
League of Cities Congressional City Conference, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C. Meetings
are being scheduled with members of the California Congressional delegation, California
senators and Administration officials.
Please mark your calendars for the following activities. Additional details will follow as the
conference gets closer.
Monday, March 10
• 6-7:30 p.m. - League Reception, Washington Hilton, Lincoln East Room
Tuesday, March 11
• Meeting with California Senator Barbara Boxer (time and location TBD)
• 6-8 p.m. - Capitol Hill Reception for California City Officials and California Congressional
Delegation, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902
Wednesday, March 12
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Roundtable discussion on energy with the California Congressional
Delegation, HC-6 of the U.S. Capitol Building
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Local Government Officials Receive Training on New Flood Laws
Over 100 city and county officials from across the state learned what their municipalities must do
to meet the new 200-year flood standard by 2012 at a one day workshop in Sacramento on
Thursday, Feb. 14.
Sponsored by the League, the California State Association of Counties, Regional Council of Rural
Counties and the California Chapter of the American Planning Association, the workshop featured
speakers from the Department of Water Resources, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and
local government staff.
Presentations at the workshop focused on the comprehensive package of bills passed in 2007
that requires all cities and counties to increase consideration of flood risks in their general plans,
and creates a new 200-year standard in flood protection for urban development in the
Sacramento-San Joaquin region.
Sacramento and West Sacramento are currently working towards meeting 200-year flood
protection. Representatives from both cities presented case studies of their current experience
and lessons they’ve learned that can benefit other municipalities as they meet this standard.
These two communities were highlighted during the workshop because of their high flood risk and
the attention given to this issue following Katrina in 2005. During the presentations, speakers
called attention to Sacramento’s Natomas area which is especially prone to floods.
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It has been predicted that a levee break in that area would result in water levels as high as 20
feet. One of the challenges for this region is the fact that historically floods have occurred during
the winter when water temperatures are near freezing, making the public safety impact of such an
event even greater.
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Governor Announces Funding for Affordable Housing Projects
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger awarded $73 million for 40 affordable housing projects in 26 cities
this week. The announcement was made on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Skid Row Housing
Trust in Los Angeles. This funding will help 1,611 families rent or purchase affordable housing.
The projects will be funded through Proposition 1C and Prop. 46 funds. Prop. 1C, part of the $42
billion package of infrastructure bonds passed in November 2006, includes $2.85 billion to
finance affordable housing and infrastructure. California voters approved Prop. 46 in 2002.
In addition, earlier this month, the Governor announced $69.5 million in permanent low-interest
loans from Prop. 1C.
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Sustainable Cities Feature: Rohnert Park’s Recycled City Hall
Rohnert Park is taking recycling to a whole new level by transforming an outdated, late 1970s
office building into a state-of-the-art energy efficient city hall. Scheduled to be complete in June,
the new city hall will house 50 city workers and a new council chamber.
The original 14,000 square foot building, constructed in 1979, served as an office building for
many years until a massage school took it over. The building had been vacant about two years
when the city purchased it. The original building had a typical wood frame construction, single
pane windows and minimal insulation. Although the heating and air conditioning roof units were
updated, they did not even meet the minimum state requirements set three years ago.
The renovated building will be a far cry from what it once was. The new council chambers will
add an additional 2,000 square feet to the building which will now meet the U.S. Green Building
Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The U.S.
Green Building Council has created a set of benchmarks to certify the environmental and
efficiency standards in construction.
Peter Bruck, a building official with Rohnert Park, heads the project and believes the city is setting
an example for the community. The new city hall reflects the green building ordinance that went
into effect in 2007, requiring all new construction in Rohnert Park to meet some level of green
building through LEED or a residential green certification system the city uses.
Bruck says Rohnert Park is very committed to sustainability. “The city council recognizes the
importance of conservation and practicing responsible stewardship of the land and buildings.
What we’re doing is using off the shelf technology so everything we’re doing can be easily
replicated.”
The “recycled” city hall will boast a large array of highly efficient features including:
• A special lighting system that will shut off when an office is empty and adjusts the light
according to the external natural light source.
• Exhaust system for the rooms that house the copy machines send the fumes outside so
they do not permeate other rooms in the building.
• Walls covered with paint that contains no or very minimal volatile organic compounds,
meaning there won’t be any “fresh paint” smell.
• The building will be 22.4 percent better than Title 24, the section of the California Energy
Code which sets a minimum level of energy efficiency for building energy use. This
means the new city hall will use only 78 percent of the energy that a building that meets
the minimum energy requirements would. 7
• A photovoltaic system designed to generate 39.4 percent of the building’s electricity.
• Workspaces with access to windows or a natural light source.
• A majority of the wood used in the project is Forest Stewardship Council Certified
meaning it has been harvested in a sustainable manner.
• Carpet made of recycled materials.
• Men’s rooms with waterless urinals.
• A special pond built outside to capture water off the roof to help mitigate flooding in the
nearby creeks. Landscaping irrigated with reclaimed water.
Additional Information
The Rohnert Park has information about the city’s sustainable policies including its new green
building ordinance on its Web site at www.ci.rohnert-park.ca.us.
United States Green Building Council has information about its LEED program on its Web site at
www.usgbc.org.
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Call for Entries: Helen Putnam Awards Celebrate Excellence in City Government
Since 1982, the Helen Putnam Awards have recognized outstanding city programs that improve
the quality of life in local communities through efficient, innovative efforts that are responsive to
residents’ needs. Applications are due in April for the 2008 Helen Putnam Awards.
If your city implements programs with these standards in any of the below 11 categories, consider
applying for a 2008 Helen Putnam Award.
The Helen Putnam Awards, supported by the League of California Cities’ Partner program,
recognize the excellence of California cities as demonstrated by beneficial innovations,
resourceful efficiencies, improved public service, and overall enhanced public trust and support.
This year, there will be one award per category.
Categories for the 2008 Helen Putnam Awards
1. Effective Advocacy, Intergovernmental Relations and Regional Cooperation
2. Housing Programs and Innovations
3. Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics and Community Involvement
4. Health and Wellness Programs
5. Planning and Environmental Quality
6. Community Services and Economic Development
7. Internal Administration
8. Public Safety
9. Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation
10. Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
11. League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations
Application Process
The Helen Putnam Award application form is available on the League’s Web site at
www.cacities.org/helenputnam.
Applications are due at the League’s office by April 10.
Send applications to:
League of California Cities
Helen Putnam Awards Program
1400 K Street, 4th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814 8
Coastal Cities Issues Group Begins 2008 Work
Twenty-one city officials traveled to the Monterey City Hall on Friday, Feb. 15 for the first 2008
meeting of the Coastal Cities Issue Group (CCIG).
The group tackled a variety of issues including working on communication with the California
Coastal Commission and the formation of a new CCIG listserv.
City officials who are interested in joining the CCIG listserv can sign up on the League’s Web site
at http://lists.cacities.org/mailman/listinfo/coastalcities.
The group will next meet May 16 in Newport Beach.
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Nominations Due for the 2008 Personnel and Employee Relations Department
Professional Excellence Awards
The League’s Personnel and Employee Relations Department annually recognizes members of
the profession for their achievements. Now is the time to nominate your colleagues for their
individual efforts or for a career of commendable service to one or more municipal agencies.
This is an opportunity to highlight the nominee’s service, leadership, expertise and innovation
within the personnel/human resources/labor relations profession. Nominations can be made with
or without the nominee’s knowledge.
Nomination Details
Nominations are due to Natasha Karl by Friday, March 14. Forms can be faxed to (916) 658-8240
or e-mailed to nkarl@cacities.org.
The nomination form can be found on the League’s Web site at
www.cacities.org/2008ProfessionalExcellenceAward.
Award Ceremony
The award will be presented at the annual Employee Relations Institute on April 24-25 at the
Catamaran Resort in San Diego.
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Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s Legislative Resources Web page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find a roster and contact information for the League’s
legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your
legislators, and more.
_____________________________________________________________________________
IN THIS ISSUE: Feb. 29, 2008
Issue #9-2008
Page 3: San Carlos Mayor Wins Oscar
Save the Date: League Events Scheduled for NLC 2008 Congressional City Conference, March 10-12
Page 4: 2008 Sunshine Week Spotlights Importance of Open Government
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
LEAGUE SPONSORS LEGISLATION FOR FEDERAL ENERGY BLOCK GRANT
DISTRIBUTION TO CALIFORNIA CITIES
Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) introduced AB 2176 on Feb. 20, which would aid
in distribution of federal funds to cities and counties through the Energy Efficiency Block Grant
(EEBG) program. This measure is sponsored by the League. For more, see Page 2.
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JOINT SENATE AND ASSEMBLY HEARING ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
The Senate and Assembly held a joint hearing on transportation funding issues on Tuesday, Feb.
26. The hearing focused on the January 2008 report produced by the National Surface
Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission regarding recommendations for the next
federal transportation reauthorization. For more, see Page 2.
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WORKSHOPS ACROSS THE STATE OFFERED ON CEQA AND CLIMATE CHANGE
First Workshop: Oakland, March 20
City officials are cordially invited to attend one of five workshops this spring on the relationship
between the California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA) and climate change. The daylong
workshop, titled CEQA and Climate Change: Partnering with Local Agencies, will be held in five
different cities between March 20 and May 23. For more, see Page 2. 2
‘Energy Block Grants’ Continued from Page 1…
The EEBG program is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6), which
President Bush signed into law in December 2007. The program would provide cities with federal
funding for innovative practices to improve energy efficiency, lower energy usage and reduce
fossil fuel emissions. Although H.R. 6 authorizes $10 billion ($2 billion per year 2008-2012), the
funds need to be appropriated by Congress each year as part of the federal budget process.
H.R. 6 splits up the $2 billion annual allocation into four different funding pots: 68 percent is
designated for cities and counties (local government pot), 28 percent for states (state pot), 2
percent for Indian tribes, and 2 percent for competitive grants to local governments or a consortia
of local governments who are ineligible for funding out of the other funding streams.
Cities with a population of 35,000 or more, and counties with a population of 200,000 or more (as
well as the top 10 most populous cities and counties in each state) will be eligible for funds out of
the local government pot.
AB 2176 addresses California’s portion of the state funding and would establish a mechanism
through which funds received by the state would then be passed on to cities and counties. H.R. 6
mandates that 60 percent of the state portion must go to cities and counties that are not eligible to
receive funding out of the local government pot (those not eligible would be cities under 35,000 in
population).
The League expects the bill to go to its first committee in early April. As the sponsor of AB 2176,
the League is working closely with the California Energy Commission to ensure that the process
is smooth once funds are ready to be distributed.
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‘Transportation Funding Hearing’ Continued from Page 1…
Larry Patterson, public works director for the city of San Mateo and first vice president of the
League’s Public Works Department, represented the League at the hearing.
The League is advocating that all levels of government be included in future discussions related
to transportation funding, stressing that local governments should have an integral role and local
projects should be eligible for funding.
The commission’s report recognizes that the federal government must partner with state and local
governments to address the transportation crisis.
The Feb. 28 hearing was the first step in a long process to clearly define the scope of the next
reauthorization, scheduled to occur in 2010. The League will provide updates as developments
occur.
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‘CEQA Workshops’ Continued from Page 1…
Each workshop is being co-hosted by the California Attorney General and the Local Government
Commission. The League of California Cities and other organizations are co-sponsors of the
events.
The workshops are designed to help answer many of the legal and practical questions cities and
counties face related to climate change. Some of the questions that will be addressed include:
• How do local governments analyze the CO2 impacts of future development?
• What mitigation strategies should be employed?
• How do local governments undertake the required analysis efficiently and on a limited
budget?
Case studies of the best and most innovative steps being taken by local governments across
California will also be presented. Speakers will include city officials, Attorney General Jerry 3
Brown, representatives from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Climate Action Team, and modeling
experts.
Workshop Dates
March 20 – Oakland
April 3 – Sacramento
April 24 – Visalia
May 15 – Los Angeles
May 23 – Monterey
Registration
Registration and additional information can be found on the Local Government Commission Web
site at www.lgc.org/events.
Each workshop costs $75 to attend.
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San Carlos Mayor Wins Oscar
At Sunday’s Oscars in Los Angeles, one of the winners of the golden statue is one of us—a local
elected official. Brad Lewis, mayor of San Carlos, was honored by the Academy when they
awarded an Oscar for “Ratatouille” as best animated film.
Lewis finds himself wearing two very different hats. Elected to the city council in 2005, Lewis
serves as mayor of San Carlos, a city of 28,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. His day job
however is at Pixar where he is the award-winning producer who managed the creation of
“Ratatouille.”
This is the first Oscar for Lewis, the recipient of several Emmys in the past. With this new award,
Lewis boasts a new accomplishment as well. He’s become the first mayor to win an Academy
Award while in office. Clint Eastwood was mayor of Carmel from 1986-1988, but did not win any
of his five Academy Awards during that time.
“Ratatouille” was nominated for five Academy Awards: animated film, original screenplay, original
score, sound editing, and sound mixing.
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Save the Date: League Events Scheduled for NLC 2008 Congressional City
Conference, March 10-12
The League of California Cities is organizing a number of important events during the National
League of Cities Congressional City Conference, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C. Meetings
are being scheduled with members of the California Congressional delegation, California
senators and Administration officials.
Please mark your calendars for the following activities. Additional details will follow as the
conference gets closer.
Monday, March 10
• 6-7:30 p.m. - League Reception, Washington Hilton, Lincoln East Room
Tuesday, March 11
• Meeting with California Senator Barbara Boxer (time and location TBD)
• 6-8 p.m. - Capitol Hill Reception for California City Officials and California Congressional
Delegation, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902
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Wednesday, March 12
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Roundtable discussion on energy with the California Congressional
Delegation, HC-6 of the U.S. Capitol Building
___________________________________________________________________________
2008 Sunshine Week Spotlights Importance of Open Government
Events Scheduled March 16-22
Government officials, news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, and others are gearing up
for the 2008 Sunshine Week. This national effort, now in its fourth year, highlights the importance
of preserving open government. Events are scheduled across the country March 16-22.
During Sunshine Week, newspapers, magazines, Web sites, radio and television outlets feature
content focused on the role of open government in a democracy.
Officials from every level of government are being invited to participate. In the past, governors,
state legislators, city council members, mayors and other elected officials have done so by
issuing proclamations, resolutions and statements of support for Sunshine Week.
For more details, please visit www.sunshineweek.org.
League Open Government Publications
The League has a long tradition of helping local agencies understand various governmental
sunshine laws. In 2007, the League released the fourth edition of Open and Public, our definitive
guide to the Brown Act. The League will unveil its latest open government publication in May at
the City Attorneys Conference with the release of The People’s Business: A Guide to the
California Public Records Act.
League publications and other resources for city officials can be purchased at CityBooks
(http://www.cacities.org/citybooks).
_____________________________________________________________________________
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s Legislative Resources Web page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find a roster and contact information for the League’s
legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your
legislators, and more.
_____________________________________________________________________________